Cable supporting clamp



Aug. 261, 1947. JQ w. woHLHlETER 2,426,479

l CABLE SUBPORTIN? CLAMP Filed April 22, 1944 Hg /2 /75 u 7.9 Y A l MII!)- INVENT-o A TTORNE YS Patented Aug. 26', 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CABLE sUProR'riNG CLAMP Joseph W. Wohlhieter, East Orange, N. J., as-

signor to The Palnut Company, Irvington, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey y Application April 22, 1944, Serial No. 532,237

6 Claims.

y.My invention relates to improvements in clamps and has to do, more particularly, with the provision of a device for'grasping a plurality of objects and securing same in assembly characterized by a definite object-spaced relationship.

A device of this nature has a wide field of utility.

In order to illustrate the concepts of my invensimple commonplace tools, for a single engine may have as many as thirty-six such clamps in use thereon. It should be of simple, rugged and unitary construction to preclude necessity for replacements due t failure or loss of component parts. Finally, it should be Vadaptable for use, without special adjustment, to push-rod housings and ignition harness within the range of varia"- tions in size and shape experienced and allowed as manufacturing tolerances therein.

. It is, accordingly, a salient object of th'e present invention to provide a clamp for grasping and holding a plurality of objects in a desired spaced relationship, which clamp is secure in its fastening, light in weight, simple, rugged, and unitary in construction, quick and easy to install and remove, reusable when detached, and self-adjustable to objects known to vary somewhat in size and shape.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a clamp construction, of the general character stated, which clamp is capable of manufacture on a production basis at low cost for material, equipment and labor.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a, clamp construction for securing a plurality ofobjects in desired spaced relationship which clamp, though' lirm in its-grasping of such objects, cannot be inadvertently applied infsuch manner as to impose excessive strains thereupon which mightcollapse or otherwise damage the objects grasped.V Conversely, it is an object of my invention to provide such a clamp structure which may be easily removed withoutthe necessity for imposing severe strains upon either ofrthe objects embraced thereby.

Further objects, and objects relating to details and economies of construction and use will more definitely appear from th'e detailed description to follow.

My invention is clearly defined in the appended claims. In the claims, as well as in the description, parts are identified by speciiic names for convenience,v but such nomenclature is intended to be as generic, in its application to similar parts, asA the prior art will permit. The best form in which I have contemplated applying my invention is illustrated in the -accompanying drawings` formingra part of this specification in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a spring clamp, embodying my invention, especially adapted for use in the support of a section of ignition harness from the push-rod housing tube of an `,aircraft engine;

Fig. 2 is a view, in side elevation, of the same clamp shown in its application to portions of such a push-rod housingtube and ignition harness, the view being drawn to a smaller scale than Fig. 1; f

Fig. 3 is a view, in side elevation, of the same parts as shown in Fig. 2 the assembly having been turned end for end to show the opposite side thereof;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view showing the structures illustrated in Fig. 2 about to be brought into clamped assembly by a conventional pair of pliers;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the position of the several parts, including the pliers,

at the stage of assembly illustrated in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a plan View similar to Fig. 4 but illustrating the parts in clamped assembly and about to be unclamped by the screw-driver end of the pliers previously employed for assemblyv purposes. A.The same reference characters refer to the esame parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

In a broad sense,A my invention finds embodiment in a clamp for grasping a plurality of objects comprising a band of spring steel or the like having the general form of a spring tongs such as is commonly employed for the handling of lump sugar.- .The spring-tongs-like band comprises a bight -portion which isof slightly greater than semi-annular extent and which otherwise so conforms tothe size and shape of one of the objects as to have snap-engagement therewith. The unstressedV size of this` bght portion is preferably slightly less than that'of the object about which itis disposable with the result that there is an Fromthe bight portion extend two arms which terminate in arcuate pads or jaw portions which are adapted to grasp, therebetween, the opposite sides of a second object. For the purpose of effecting such grasping, one of the jaw portions is formed with hinge means which receive one end of a spring bow or clip so shaped and of such size -as/to close the jaw portions upon the object when the spring bow is sprung ory snapped thereabout. Where, as in the illustrated embodiment, the device is required t be extremely secure against loosening or detachment, this spring bow is formed of hardened and tempered 'springsteel having considerable resistance to fiexure. The application of such a steel bow may, in some instances, require more force than can be conveniently applied by theunaided iingers. Accordingly, the bow is desirably so shaped as to facilitate the use of conventional pliers `thereon to effect the springing thereof upon the jawportions of the tongs-likejband, and a hookportion vis providedas an eXtensionvof its unhinged end ,whereby a Simplalever, .Such as a .Screw .driver or the like, may be employed to facilitate unspringing thereof and looseningof the jawsfrom their directlyengaged object. To afford greater "iiexiblility' in the band element, Iparticularly in instanceswhereuthe spacing between the objects to befgraspedissmall andthe band arms are corn respondingly short, thebight portion of the band is 'advantageously lightened as 'by removing a notch-denning section therefrom. Such, a light- `ened construction is alsofmeritorious vfor the saving in lweight thereby afforded, particularly where the ydevice is designed for use in large numbers/Upon .aircrafti -Referring, now, tothe accompanying drawing wherein fhavesh'ownsuch a clamp construction especially suited for the support of ignition har ness'f'romthe push rod` housing tubes of a radialtyp'e aircraft engine, the clamp comprises tWo si-fnpl'ellparts permanently Vassociated by integral hinge portions. One part has the general form of a spring tongs such as is commonly employed for thelfian'dling of'lump sugar.v It" consists of a band of hardened and tempered springv steel the Spring'lop or bight portion l0 of ,which is of generally cylindrical configuration defining less thanfa complete'-lannulus, from the ends of "which springliloop extend' arms Hand 12, one arm Il 'of whichY terminatesfin 'anf'arcuate' pd. or jaw portion i3," and the other arm vI2 offwhichterminates in anl'arcate pad or jaw portion nl The armi I2is provided with cuteout tongues which are curled back (prior to hardening and tempering) intothe form of loops i5 and II6 (both 'show in' Fig.3)' and serve as pintlesockets.

` Afspring bowV Il constitutes'the 'other' part of the illustrated clamp. Thisfrnernber' il is also preferably' formed from spring steel rst shaped and then hardened and tempered Notches are provided adjacent one end of the 'member I1 and define thereat a pintle [la which is received within'the sockets l5, I6 before the Atongs-like member is. hardened and tempered. YThe other end ofthe spring bow Il, remote Vfrom the pintle Via thereof,`isextended 'in' the forrnrof a relavtivelynarrow hookv I8 the purpose of which will be .described in conjunction with them'odeof Ause for'the device. 'The spring-bight I of the clamp illustrated is out out' at m for purposes' also later to be described.

,The mostrarse ciampiis applied to the push rod housing B simply by snapping Vthe blight portion lll onto the housing B withthearmsl l I, vl2 directed toward the'sec'tionv C of the' ignitionliarvcommon to any kit.

ness. The unstressed size of the bight Il) is slightly less than the external size of the housing B and the arms li and l2 are so directed that, as thus far installed, the pads or jaws I3, lll thereon are normally slightly spaced from contact With opposite sides of the harness section C, as depicted in Fig. 4l. Bly reason of the reduced width and centralized location of the hookportion I8, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the jaws of a conventiona1 pair of pliers A may be readily applied to the clamp portions as illustrated in Fig. 4 and the spring bow il may be easily sprung, snap-fashion,

around the pads I3, lli, slightly exing the arms il, I2 'and bringing the pads into firm grasping rela'ti'on withthe harness section C as shown in r'trical conductors extend. Such braided tubing is not, ordinarily, nhighly resistant to collapse,

Aj hence the 4springjbow I1 isdesigned to apply rm `,but not excessive constrictive'force. jupon 4the pads i3, lilii When the spring bowjl'l is' sprung "upon thelpads' i3, lgacertaindegree fof con- 'strictive effect is also rapplied Vto the bight portion l@ of theclamp through the'arms il, l2

` thereof,y insuring a securefrictional engagement vof 'the bight portion illA with the therewithin dis- 'I posed housing B. To increase the security of this 30 frictio'nal engagement, the bightl portion Il) is preferably lightened by removal yof metal toform the notched out portion i9, which affords an in crease in the conformability of the loightv portion to thefhousing. u I

Y Radial engines `-`of vas' many asV eighteen cylindersare commonly'employedin aircraft. Each cyliri'der'is,` as af rule, 4suppliedwith dual ignition,

with the result that as (many as thirty-six such clamps maybe" employed upona-'single motor; onehuridred and forty-'four on a Vsingle fourvmotor plane. It is'fof great, importance,` then, that such clainpsbe easily removable for' minor overl''aul'orv harness replacement. The illustrated clamp 'may loe/removed by the simple expedient of 'l inserting lthe "bit of 5 a screwdriver (or the 'screwdriv'er' handle A' lof the illustrated pliers) witlr'iinV the hook' i8 andlev'erjing the spring bow Il" around vtoy open position on its. hinge part lla as depicted in Eig. 6.- lhus pried open, the clamp assurriesits original forni shown inv Fig. 1 andmay be readilysna'pp'ed off the tube B upon which it 'was mounted. VTheclamp is light and it may be installed'or removed inainornent of time by tools The illustrated` clamp, though composed' of tw'o parts,l is not inadvertently Vseparable under' normal conditions of use 'and abuse, so'that'parts thereof never become misplaced. The clamp is secure in its attachment even to housings 'and harness 'which vary individually or collectively in sizearid shape'as much as ten or twelve"thousandths 'of'an inch-the departures in', size permitted :and experi'enced in these structures. The spring bow isr engaged, in and during' assemblygsolely' with the pads i3 and IE and is neverY directly 'applied to theV surfaces of o'lijects'r clamped. Similarly, the pryingropen of the spring'bow'does `not require imposition'of injurious forces to 'the'. clamped objects. The hook l2. 'securely receives the bit'ofthe opening lever with' the r'esultthat no tendencyV toward slipping of the lever need bgguardedagainst 'and chance of-injury'to the harness C or othenrnotor elements "from tniscause'is eliminated; The hook curved extremities of the clamp with the result that inadvertent snagging thereof or of any other portion of the clamp by the fingers or apparel the simplicity of its construction, the cheapness Y of theyfiat stock from which it is fabricated, and the elemental character ofthe dies and equipment by which it may be formed.

Clamps embodying the basic features of my invention may be advantageously employed for numerous purposes with or without minor changes in form, size and material. I therefore regard the herein illustrated clamp as merely one example of its concepts and I, accordingly, intentionally claim my invention broadly, as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A clamp for grasping a plurality of objects and rmly maintaining same in a definite spaced positional relationship, comprising: a band having a bight portion for partially encircling and snugly clasping one of said objects and provided with collaterally-extending spaced arm portions formed adjacent their free ends for yconformitively snugly clasping therebetween a second object disposed in definite spaced relation to the rst object, and a generally U-shaped spring lbow having one leg of its U-formation hinged to one of said arm portions externally of its conformitive object-clasping surface, the concave side ofthe U-formation of the bow facing toward the free ends of said spaced arm portions, and the bow being swingable on its hinge axis into bridging relation across the free ends of said spaced arm portions and tightly snap-sprung clamping association around said spaced arm por-tions.

2. A unitary two-piece clamp for grasping a plurality of rod-like objects and firmly maintaining same in a definite spaced positional relationship, comprising: a iiexible one-piece spring band having a lightened bight portion for partially encircling and snugly clasping one of said objects and provided with collaterally-extending spaced arm portions formed adjacent their free ends for conformitively snugly clasping therebetween a second object disposed in definite spaced relation to the first object, and a generally U-shaped spring bow having one leg of its U-formation hinged to one of said arm portions externally of its conformitive object-clasping surface, the concave side ofthe U-formation of the bow facing toward the free ends of said spaced arm portions, and the bow jbeing swingable on its hinge axis into bridging relation across the free ends of said spaced arm portions and tightly snap-sprung clamping association aro-und said spaced a portions. f

3. A clamp for grasping a plurality of objects and rmly maintaining same in a denite spaced positional relationship, comprising: ya band part having a bight portion for partially encircling and snugly clasping one of said objects and provided with collaterally-extending spaced arm p0rtions formed adjacent their free ends for conformitively snugly clasping therebetween a second object disposed in definite spaced relation to the first object, and a generally U-shaped spring bow part having the end of one leg of its U-formation integrally hinged to one of said arm portions externally of its conformitive object-clasping surface, the concave side of the U-formation of the bow part facing toward the free ends of said spaced arm portions, and the bow part being swingable on its hinge axis into bridging relation across the free ends of said spaced arm portions and tightly snap-sprung'v clamping association around said arm portions,said spring bow part having a screw-driver-engageable tongue portion at the end of the other leg of its U-formation and disposed, in the clamping position of said ibow part, adjacent the bight-portion-attached end of the other of said arm portions whereby said spring bow may be easily' manually levered out upon itself from tightly snap-sprung clamping association with said spaced arm portions.

4. A clamp for grasping a plurality of objects and rmly maintaining same in a definite spaced relationship, comprising: a one-piece tempered spring steel band having a, bight portion for partially encircling and snugly clasping one of said objects and provided with collaterally-extending spaced arm portions formed adjacent their free ends for conformitively snuglyV clasping therebetween a second object disposed in definite spaced relation to the rst object, and a generally U-shaped stiff tempered spring steel bow having one end of its U-formation permanently hinged to one of said arm portions externally of its conformitive object-clasping surface, the hinge structure comprising a pair of integral pintle sockets composed of the metal of side edge portions of said one of said arm portions and which extend into notches in both side edges of said spring steel bow and located adjacent to one end thereof, the concave side of the U-formatio-n of the bow facing toward the free ends of said spaced arm portions, and the bow being swingable on its hinge axis into bridging relation across the free ends of said spaced arm portions and tightly snapsprung clamping association around said spaced arm portions.

5. A clamp for grasping a plurality of objects and iirmly maintaining same in a definite spaced relationship, comprising: a generally U-shaped one-piece tempered spring steel Iband having a more than semiannular bight portion for snugly clasping one of said objects and provided with collaterally-extending spaced arm portions formed adjacent their respective free ends into arcuate jaw portions for conformitively snugly clasping therebetween a second object disposed in definite spaced relation to the first object, and a stiff, more than semiannular tempered spring steel bow permanently hinged to one of said spaced arm portions externally of its conformitive objectclasping surface, swingable on its hinge axis and snap-sprung-applicable around said arcuate object-clasping jaw portions by means of pressure from conventional pliers manually applied across the intermediate portion of said bow and the arcuate jaw portion of the other of said arms.

6. A clamp for grasping a plurality of objects and firmly maintaining same in a definite spaced relationship, comprising: a generally U-shaped one-piece tempered spring steel band having a more than semiannular bight portion for snugly clasping one of said objects and provided with collaterally-extending spaced arm portions formed adjacent their respective free ends into arcuate jaw portions for conformitively snugly clasping therebetween a second object disposed in definite spaced relation to the rst olbject, and a stiif, more than semiannular tempered spring steel bow permanently hinged to oneof said spaced arm portions externally of its conformitive objectclasping surface, swingable on its hinge axis and 7 snap-:sprung applicable around sadarcuate, object-clasping jaw portions bymeans of pressure fromeonventional pliers manually appliedlacross the intermediate portion of said bow and the arcuate-,jaw portion of the other of said spaced 5 REFERENCES- CITED The followingV references are of record in the ile of this patent-z UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 692,529 Knittle Feb. 4, 1902 1,478,896' Ferency Dec. 25, 1923 1,083,385# Burgess\ Jan. 6, 1914 1,164,613 Jewell Dec. 14, 1915 759,787 Wey May 10,` 1904 1,104,352 Erlandsson July 21, 1914 1,816,301 Sundell July28,A 1931 842,215- Mansson- Jan. 29, 1907 771,378 Luther Oct. 4, 1904 

